SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS
Sports Mouthguards Near Perth
If you or your child play sports extensively, there is always a risk of injury.
Normally, various parts of the body are protected with padding or guards, but on occasion, the mouth is overlooked. Therefore, to help avoid major damage to the mouth, our Claremont Dentists highly recommend mouthguards. Around one-third of traumatic injuries to teeth are sports-related. The Sports Medicine Association Australia (SMA) reports that approximately 50% of children experience some form of dental injury.
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Custom Mouthguards near Perth
Benefits of Custom Sports Mouthguards
Custom fitted sports mouthguards also offer a better fit than off-the-shelf options. Generic mouthguards may not fit securely in the mouth, which can cause them to move around during play. We know that mouth guards provide protection for your teeth and mouth while playing sports, but how?
- Reduce the risk of dental injuries such as broken or knocked out teeth, jaw fractures or dislocations and provide a cushioning effect on the teeth and jaw to reduce the impact of blows or collisions
- The protective layer helps prevent lacerations or cuts to the tongue, cheek or lips
- Custom mouthguards are designed to stay securely in place, which means that you can focus on the game rather than worrying about the mouthguard
- Custom fitted sports mouthguards are available in a variety of materials, such as EVA, Thermoplastic, and Laminated. The different materials have different properties and thus different levels of protection and durability.
- They aren’t just a custom fit, you can choose the colour and design. Your mouthguard can be as unique as your dental structure
Custom Fitted Mouthguards vs Store-bought Mouthguards
A custom fitted mouthguard from Ashton Avenue Dental Practice is a better option than an over-the-counter mouthguard as it is specifically fitted to your teeth and contours the soft tissue of your mouth. The custom fit makes them more comfortable, secure and better at absorbing impact. This will also enable better speech and normal breathing during wear. Custom-fitted mouthguards can last multiple sporting seasons, with proper care and storage. Discuss mouthguard prices with your dentist to find out how you can invest in your child’s or your dental health and protection.
Store-bought Mouthguards
Chemist and sports-store bought mouthguards may seem like a convenient option, but often fall short in terms of providing adequate protection for your teeth and gums. Stock mouthguards, as an example, are nothing more than generic plastic guards that do not take into account your unique mouth shape and characteristics. There are alternative options, such as the DIY ‘boil and bite’ sports mouthguards, which may seem like a better solution however they can lead to uneven protection and incorrect fit.
A mouthguard is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums.
A mouthguard is most often used to prevent injury in contact sports, but is also used for treatment for bruxism or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ).
Please contact our friendly dentists in Claremont today on 08 6183 3800 to find out more about mouthguards near you and how we can help you reduce your risk of injury during sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Stock mouth guards -these are a bulky gutter of rigid plastic available from pharmacies and sports stores. They are very uncomfortable, interfere with speech and breathing and because they are not firmly secured offer a false sense of protection.
Boil and Bite mouth guards – Pharmacies and sports stores also sell “boil and bite” mouth guards. They are made from a thermoplastic material which is softened in hot water and then placed in the mouth to mould to the teeth as the guard is bitten. Like stock guards, they are cheap but never fit well and their shape easily deforms. They can be uncomfortable, impair breathing and speech, offer limited protection and can be an airway hazard.
Custom fitted mouth guards – These are made by a dental professional using an impression of the teeth from special shock-absorbing plastic. A custom-fitted mouthguard fits a person’s mouth perfectly. The accurate fit and control of the thickness maximise the shock-absorbing effect. They fit comfortably and won’t interfere with breathing.
- Clean your mouth guard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water.
- Before storing, soak your mouth guard in mouthwash.
- Keep your mouth guard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouth-guard will dry.
- Heat is bad for mouth guards, so don’t leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile.
- Don’t bend your mouth guard when storing.
- Don’t handle or wear someone else’s mouth guard.
